Solar PV Analysis of Coimbra, Portugal
Coimbra, Portugal is a pretty good place for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies with the seasons. In summer, you can expect about 7.47 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day per kW installed; in autumn, it's about 4.09 kWh/day/kW; in winter it drops to around 2.35 kWh/day/kW and then rises again in spring to roughly 6.07 kWh/day/kW.
So, what does this mean? Well, during the sunnier parts of the year - specifically summer and spring - you're going to get more energy from your solar panels than during autumn and winter when there's less sunlight available.
If you're setting up fixed panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 35 degrees towards the south will give you maximum production across all seasons.
As for factors that might affect your solar production: Coimbra lies in a region that enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters but also experiences some rainfall throughout the year which could potentially reduce sunlight exposure on certain days or periods especially during rainy season or cloudy days.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1) You should ensure your panels are kept clean as dirt or debris can block sunlight.
2) Also consider installing a system that allows your panels to track the sun across the sky so they always face directly towards it even on cloudy days.
3) If possible install additional storage capacity like batteries so excess power generated during peak times can be stored for use when generation is low.
4) Regular maintenance checks are recommended to ensure optimal performance and early detection of any faults or damages due to weather conditions.
In summary though, despite these considerations Coimbra offers quite favourable conditions overall for generating electricity via solar PV throughout most part of year due its geographical location within Northern Temperate Zone.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 179 locations across Portugal. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Portugal by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Coimbra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.2057, Longitude: -8.4213 (Coimbra, Portugal), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 35° South in Coimbra, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coimbra, Portugal (Lat/Long 40.2057, -8.4213) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Coimbra, Portugal
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Coimbra, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Coimbra, Portugal
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Coimbra, Portugal.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Coimbra, Portugal
Coimbra, Portugal is located in the central region of the country. The topography around Coimbra consists of a mix of flat plains, rolling hills and mountains towards the east. It's crossed by several rivers including Mondego River which runs through the city itself.
The climate in Coimbra is Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild wet winters - an ideal condition for solar energy production. Given its geographical location, it receives ample sunlight throughout most of the year.
For large-scale solar PV operations, flat terrains would be most suitable due to ease of installation and maintenance as well as optimal exposure to sunlight. Therefore, areas such as agricultural lands or open fields on outskirts or nearby towns like Montemor-o-Velho or Condeixa-a-Nova could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, any decision should also consider other factors such as land use regulations, proximity to power grids for transmission and impacts on local ecosystems/biodiversity. Additionally, incorporating smaller scale distributed solar systems within Coimbra city itself (on rooftops etc.) could also contribute significantly to renewable energy generation while minimizing land use conflicts.
It's advisable that a detailed feasibility study considering all these aspects be conducted before deciding on specific locations for large scale solar PV projects.
Portugal solar PV Stats as a country
Portugal ranks 32nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,801 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of Portugal's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 23rd in the world). Each year Portugal is generating 174 Watts from solar PV per capita (Portugal ranks 29th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Portugal?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Portugal. The Portuguese government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans, and tax credits. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive to businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Portugal? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 1st of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
